Wrapping machines



T. JENSEN WRAPPING MACHINES April 28, 1959 5 Sheets Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2, 1956 April 28, 1959 T. JENSEN WRAPPING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1956 Jill/e72 for? flormod G/nfien April 28, 1959 T. JENSEN 2,883,819

WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Feb. 2, 1956 3.Sheets-Sheet 3 Tfiormod cfensen 65 flmmdwfimmg 2,883,819 WRAPPING MACHINES i horniod Jensen, New York, N.Y., assignorto Pollock Paper Corporation, Dallas, Tex-., a corporation of Texas Application February 2, 1956,.Seria'l No. 562,970

7 Claims. (Cl. 53-379) This invention relates-to machines-for wrapping loaves of bread with heat-scalable waxed paper wrappers, and more particularly to improvements-in certain of the folder platecomponents thereof and novel folder plate mountingmeans.

The invention relates to improvements in wrapping machines such as those shown and described in my United States Patents Nos. 2,600,878, 2,304,048 and others, which employ means for endwise folding a wrapper, partially applied about the loaf, in a series of four successive folds or tucks, and heat-sealing the folded material so as to secure the wrapper about the loaf.

Machines of this class generally comprise a pivoted lifter table having mounted for travel therewith spaced tucking plates, which are operative whenever a loaf is fed upon the table, for forming the first end tucks in a wrapp'e'r web which becomes draped about the loaf in its movement'from a feed conveyor onto the lifter table. The second fold is formed when the lifter table moves upwardly between a pair of folders mounted adjacent one end of asealing table, by folding downwardly the upper end por-' tio'risof the wrapper. The loaf is then engaged by a pusher and moved on the sealing table to between a pair of heated plates or plough folders which make the third fold by-folding inwardly the wrapper flaps extending from the leading face of the loaf. As it is moved forwardly by the pusher, the wrapper flaps atthe bottom of the loaf enter slots between the lower inclined trailing edges of the third folder plates and the upper inclined leading edges of a pair of fourth folder plates, whereby the flaps are folded upwardly and against the ends of the loaf to complete the end folding and heat sealing of the waxed paper wrapper.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the aforesaid heated plates which form the third fold, although, as will be appreciated, it may also be adapted for use with the second and fourth folder plates. It will be understood that although these plates are normally retained in fixed position and the loaf of partially wrapped bread is pushed between them, adjustable mounting or support means for these plates are provided so that they may be adjusted occasionally to suitcertain loaves and be positioned or set up by the operator so that the wrapper will be bent and folded smoothly without interruptionor-re-wrap requirement. Maintenance of precise adjnstment'of these folder plates longitudinally, vertically and angularly with respect to the sealing table and with respect to the fourth folder plates partially disposed berieath is therefore highly desired for efficient operation. However, due to the nature of the operation which entails heat sealing by plasticizing the wax content of the wrapper's by electrical heating means associated with the folde'rplates, it will be appreciated that it becomes necessary from time to time to clean accumulations of wax and carbonized material from not only these third folder plates, but also the fourth folder plates partially beneath them, and for such purposes it is desirable to remove the third folder plates] to permit them to be cleaned and to Patented Apr. 28, 1959 and mounted that removal for the indicated cleaning" purpose only, disturbed the set-up position to which it was initially precisely adjusted, and replacement thus" required skilled maintenance personnel at each cleaning instead of occasional adjustment to suit certain loaves.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to pro vide novel bracket or hanger means for the third folder plates whereby they may be removed and replaced without disturbing their setting, and without special tools, by relatively unskilled personnel.-

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means adapted to permit quick and convenient re-- moval of the third folder plates was to more readily expose the fourth folder plates directly underneath and thus make it easier to clean them. and to become aware of need for such cleaning.

Further objects relate to the composition of the third folder plates so that they have less tendency to accumulate carbonaceous deposits and are easier to clean, the improved heating means therefor, and other details of con strnction and arrangement of parts, as will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawings,- where-in:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a wrap-- ping machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a wrapped loaf of bread' with the successive folds numerically designated thereon.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a wrapping machine embodying the present invention, enlarged relative" to Fig. 1', and on the lines 33 thereof.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational View of a third folder plate and its mounting means,- in accordance with the present" invention.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, further" illustrating the assembly thereof mounted on a'component of a wrapping machine.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 but with parts thereof angularly spaced for effecting separation of the" plates from their mounting means.

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the plate mounting means or bracket engaged to the wrapping machine, with out the folder plate. 7 7

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1,

the reference numerals 10 indicate loaves of bread at various points of the wrapping machine showing the formation of the successive end folds. Thus, a sliced loaf 10, after being advanced by an opposed pair of flights 11 of conveyor 12 into the path of reciprocating pusher plate 13, is moved by the latter onto the pivoted lifter table 14 and into the path of waxed paper wrapper forming web 15. At the same time the loaf, now partially 17 mounted adjacent one end of sealing table 18, to form the second fold, indicated as II is Fig. 2, by downwardly folding the upper portion of the wrapper against the loaf ends. The second fold being completed, a pusher arm 19 engages the loaf and moves it horizontally on the table 18, to between an opposed pair of heated third folder plates 20 and fourth folder plates 21 where in succession the third folds are made by folding inwardly the wrapper flaps extending from the leading face of the loaf, and then folding upwardly from the bottom the fourth flap by means of the fourth folder plates and the inclined slot formed between'the substantially parallel inclined edges of folder plates 20 and 21, whereat the fold is completed and sealed with the aid of Wax heating means carried by the sealing plates 20 and 21.

As previously indicated, the present invention is particularly concerned with the folding and sealing plates 20 which make the third fold. A pair of these plates are mounted respectively on the spaced parallel side frame members 22, as shown in Fig. 3, and since both are the same, except one being rightand the other left-handed, only one will be described. These folder plates 20 are, in accordance with the present invention, preferably formed of stainless steel, as a result of which they tend to accumulate less than the usual amount of carbon in operation, and thus per se, are easier to clean. The plates also carry on their rear face electrical heating elements 23, controlled by thermostat 24, adapted to be connected by means of the plug 25 on the flexible leads 26, to a socket 27 carried by frame 22. It will be noted that the heating elements 23 are disposed over the width and length of the rear face of plate 20 so as to heat it as uniformly as possible for a most eflicient operation, and secured thereto by a number of plates 38 and bolts 39, as illustrated.

The plate 20 is supported in general on a longitudinally spaced pair of upstanding lugs 2828 on frame 22 through the intermediary of bracket elements designated generally as 29 and 30, which as will shortly appear, provide a wide latitude of adjustable positioning for plate 20, relative to the vertical and horizontal, and to the ends of the loaves of bread being pushed between a pair of plates 20. Thus the bracket element 29 is generally in the form of an angle bar formed with a spaced pair of transversely slotted leg portions 31 opening downwardly for reception of and engagement by the bolts 32 extending through apertures in the lugs 28. This permits vertical adjustment of the element 29, and consequently similar adjustment of the components supported on its horizontally and rearwardly disposed leg portion 33. By making the Width of the slots in leg portions 31 greater than the diameter of the bolts 32 (although less than that of the bolt heads) some angular adjustment in the plane of leg portions 31, and of the components such as plate 20 supported therethrough, is permitted.

The portion 33 of bracket element 29 is formed with a pair of spaced longitudinally extending slots 34 through which are received bolts 35 which support the horizontally disposed plate component 36 of bracket element 30 in spaced relation by means of the bushings 37. This permits shifting of bracket element 30 longitudinally with respect to bracket element 29, and thus horizontal shifting of supported plate 26 relative to the frame 22 when required.

Plate component 36 of bracket 30 is formed with a spaced pair of transversely slotted rearwardly opening portions 40 receiving the bolts 35, permitting spacing or movement of the supported plate 20 in a direction horizontally or laterally of frame 22. Here also, the slots in portions 40 may be of a width greater than the diameter of the bolts 35 permitting angular adjustment in a horizontal plane, and consequently some slight adjustment of the opposed pair of plates 20 as to their parallelism or angularity to each other in a direction longitudinally of the plates or the frame 22.

Projecting from the rear face of plate 29, adjacent to, but spaced from, its upper edge, are a longitudinally spaced, aligned pair of half-hinge or semi-cylindrical upwardly opening hook-like portions 41 adapted to embrace the hinge pin or rod portion 42. The rod 42 is supported on and in spaced parallel relation above the plate 36 by means of the risers 52 in fixed engagement parallel to and adjacent one longitudinal edge of plate 36.

To engage folder plate 20 to its supporting bracket means merely requires that it be held at an angle of approximately 45, as shown in Fig. 6, its hooks 41 engaged over rod 42, and it then be permitted to swing downwardly to substantially vertical position. As this time, the

weight of folder plate 20 brings the outer surface of hooks 41 into pivotal engagement on bracket plate 36, and other than slight vertical movement, the folder 20 is then held retained by rod 42 in interlocking engagement, and withdrawal is prevented unless it is again swung outwardly as shown in Fig. 6. When permitted to swing freely, folder plate 20 will normally incline to the vertical, with its lower portion slightly toward frame 22. In order to adjust the inclination of folder plate 20 to the vertical, or in a direction transversely of plate 20 on either side of the vertical, laterally adjustable abutment screw means '43 are provided on legs 44 depending from plate 36.

After the folder plate 20 comes to rest to the limit of abutment screws 43, it is fixed against further swinging or separation from the bracket members by means of the arm 45 carried by bracket plate 36. This arm 45 is pivotally engaged for movement in a horizontal plane by bolt 46 carried by bracket plate 36 and spaced 'thereover by the bearing or collar 47 against which it is held and.

pressed by the spring 48 retained by Washer 49 and nut 50. The arm 45 is formed at one or both ends with an arcuate corner portion 51 to enable wedgin-g against the rear of folder plate 20 and to thereby hold the latterpositioned firmly in set position until it is necessary to remove it for cleaning or access to folder plate 21 beneath.

It will be seen that the folder plate 20 may be readily engaged in position by a snap-on-like engagement, and

disengaged in the same simple manner, without disturbing the aforesaid set position or without necessity for making readjustment at such times, the setting adjustment being accomplished by manipulation or adjustment of ,the'

two previously described bracket components relative to each other and to the supporting frame and as required by the folder plates 20 relative to each other and to their folding and sealing functions in the wrapping machine. I

I claim:

1. In a wrapping machine comprising a sealing table,

spaced parallel side frame members and an opposed pair of separable plates adapted to be disposed in fixed sub-' stantially vertical relationship between said frame members for folding and heating the end flaps of waxed paper webs on loaves of bread moved on said table between.

said plates, the combination of bracket means on said side frame members for supporting said plates in fixed vertical, horizontal, lateral and angularly adjustable predetermined position, and means on said plates pivotally engageable with means on said brackets and for disposing said plates on said brackets in said predetermined position.

3. In a Wrapping machine comprising a sealing table, spaced parallel side frame members and an opposed pair of separable plates adapted to be disposed in fixed substantially vertical relationship between said frame members for folding and heating the end flaps of waxed paper webs on loaves of bread moved on said table between said plates, the combination of bracket means on said side frame members for supporting said plates in fixed vertical, horizontal, lateral and angularly adjustable predetermined position, means on said plates pivotally engageable with means on said brackets and for disposing said plates on said brackets in said predetermined position, and releas-' able locking means for fixedly securing said plates in said.

position by limiting pivotal movement.

4. In a wrapping machine comprising a sealing table,

spaced parallel side frame members and an opposed pair maul of separable plates adapted to be disposed in fixed substantially vertical relationship between said frame members for folding and heating the end flaps of waxed paper webs on loaves of bread moved on said table between said plates, the combination of bracket means in separable engagement with said frame members and with said plates, comprising first bracket elements carried by the side frame components in vertically adjustable relationship, second parallel bracket elements engaged to said first elements in longitudinally and laterally adjustable relationship, means projecting rearwardly of said plates pivotally engageable with means carried by said second bracket elements and for swingably supporting said plates thereon, adjustable abutment means carried by said second bracket elements for limiting angular inclination of said plates to the vertical, and releasable locking means carried by said second bracket elements for pivotally urging the plates against said abutment means and for holding them against further swinging movement.

5. In a wrapping machine folding and sealing unit comprising a sealing table and spaced'parallel side frame members, bracket means separably engaged to said side frame members and an opposed pair of folder and heater plates separably secured to said bracket means in predetermined position thereon, said plates being separable from and replaceable on said bracket means without disturbing said predetermined position.

6. In a wrapping machine folding and sealing unit comprising a sealing table, spaced parallel side frame members and folder plates, including electrical resistance heater elements, separably supported on and between said side frame members above said sealing table, brackets interposed between each side frame member and folder plate comprising means for thereby adjustably disposing the plates relative to the sealing table, and means on said plates engageable with means on said brackets for retaining them in separable engagement independent of said bracket adjustment means.

7. In a wrapping machine folding and sealing unit, separable bracket means for separably engaging and supporting folder plates on spaced parallel side frame members in variable predetermined position, comprising a first bracket element adapted for parallel disposition to and vertically adjustable engagement on a side frame member, and a second bracket element extending parallel thereto and in longitudinally and laterally adjustable engagement therewith, said second bracket element further including means for separably engaging a folder plate and for retaining it in position predetermined by said adjustable first and second bracket elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,472,096 Streich Oct. 30, 1923 1,899,468 Littlefield Feb. 28, 1933 2,080,834 Petskeyes May 18, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS 248,422 Great Britain Mar. 1, 1926 

